Some really shocking and rotten news out of Portland, OR this afternoon: due to budget cuts, the Oregon Historical Society will be closing its research library as of this Saturday, 28 February. The library, which has existed since 1899, houses the largest collection of archival documents related to the history of Oregon, including "more than 32,000 books, 25,000 maps, 12,500 linear feet of manuscripts, 4,000 serials titles, 6,000 vertical files, 18,000 reels of newspaper microfilm, 8.5 million feet of film and videotape, 10,000 oral history tapes, and more than 2.5 million photographs."
The library will be closed to the public after the 28th of this month, and current positions are being eliminated beginning on 13 March; some staff will be retained to manage photograph and film reproduction orders.
No word on when or if the library will reopen, or what will happen to its collections.
More here.
